Non-Proliferation/Democratic People's Republic…

Following the recently failed launch of what the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has described as a military reconnaissance satellite, a senior United Nations official today stressed to the Security Council that diplomacy — and not isolation — is the only way forward, as she underlined that the 15-nation organ’s lack of unity and action does little to slow the Korean Peninsula’s negative trajectory.

Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, briefing the Council on the launch which occurred on 31 May at 6:37 a.m. local time, reported that the rocket crashed off the Peninsula’s western coast after losing thrust. 

While a sovereign State has the right to benefit from space activities, Council resolutions explicitly prohibit that country from conducting any launches using ballistic missile technology, she reported. 

In the ensuing debate, many speakers joined the Secretary-General’s strong condemnation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s attempted launch. 

The meeting began at 3:05 p.m. and ended at 4:23 p.m.